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How to Create a Survey in Slack: A Pro’s Guide to Gathering Insights

Let’s cut to the chase: creating a survey in Slack doesn’t require arcane knowledge or summoning mythical creatures. You have several robust methods at your disposal, ranging from native Slack features to powerful integrations. Essentially, you’ll use Slack’s poll feature, dedicated survey apps, or integrated workflow builders to craft and distribute your survey, then collect and analyze the responses directly within your Slack workspace. The best approach depends on the depth and complexity of your survey, and the frequency you’ll be using it.

Native Slack Polls: Quick & Dirty (But Effective)

For simple, on-the-fly surveys, Slack’s built-in poll functionality is your best friend. It’s quick, easy, and requires no extra setup.

Crafting a Native Poll

Start in the Channel or DM: Open the channel or direct message where you want to post the survey.
Use the /poll command: Type /poll "Your Question Here" "Option 1" "Option 2" "Option 3" and so on. Replace the placeholders with your actual question and answer options. Make sure each option is enclosed in quotes.
Customize the Options: Slack allows for a multitude of options. Just keep in mind that overwhelming your audience with too many choices can lead to survey fatigue.
Hit Enter and Publish: Press enter. Slack will generate the poll with reaction-based voting buttons.

Advantages of Native Polls

Speed and Simplicity: Nothing beats the speed of whipping up a quick poll directly within Slack.
No External Tools Needed: Perfect for organizations hesitant to integrate third-party apps.
Immediate Feedback: See results as they come in, providing a pulse on the situation.

Limitations of Native Polls

Limited Question Types: Only supports single-choice, reaction-based questions. No open-ended questions or rating scales.
No Advanced Analytics: Basic vote counts are provided, but detailed analysis requires manual tallying.
Lack of Customization: Minimal control over the poll’s appearance and behaviour.

Unleash the Power: Survey Apps for Slack

When you need more sophistication, survey apps are the way to go. These integrations provide features like:

Popular Slack Survey Apps

Polly: Offers a wide range of question types, including multiple-choice, open-ended, and rating scales. Provides detailed analytics and reporting. A true workhorse for survey creation.
SurveyMonkey: Integrates seamlessly with Slack, allowing you to send and track surveys created on the SurveyMonkey platform.
Simple Poll: A lightweight, user-friendly option for creating polls with advanced features such as anonymity and scheduling.
Google Forms: Use Webhooks to post results to channels. Not ideal for quick-fire surveys, but very useful if you already use G-Suite.

Setting Up a Survey App

Install the App: From the Slack App Directory, search for your chosen survey app and install it into your workspace.
Authorize Permissions: Grant the necessary permissions for the app to access your Slack channels and user data.
Create Your Survey: Follow the app’s instructions to create your survey, specifying question types, options, and other settings.
Distribute the Survey: Most apps offer options for sharing the survey directly in a Slack channel or via direct message.
Analyze the Results: The survey app will collect and analyze the responses, providing you with reports and visualizations.

Benefits of Survey Apps

Advanced Question Types: Gather more nuanced data with a wider range of question formats.
Detailed Analytics: Gain deeper insights with comprehensive reports and visualizations.
Customization Options: Tailor the survey’s appearance and behaviour to match your brand.
Automated Distribution: Schedule surveys to be sent at specific times or trigger them based on events.

Considerations when using Survey Apps

Cost: Many survey apps offer free plans with limited features, but you’ll likely need a paid subscription for advanced functionality.
Learning Curve: Some apps have a steeper learning curve than others. Consider your team’s technical expertise.
Data Privacy: Ensure the app complies with your organization’s data privacy policies.

Workflow Builders: Automating Survey Processes

Slack’s Workflow Builder lets you automate the entire survey process, from distribution to data collection.

Building a Survey Workflow

Access the Workflow Builder: Open Slack and navigate to Tools > Workflow Builder.
Create a New Workflow: Start a new workflow and give it a descriptive name.
Define a Trigger: Choose a trigger, such as a scheduled time or a keyword entered in a channel.
Add Steps: Add steps to the workflow, such as sending a survey using a survey app or posting a message with a poll.
Configure Actions: Configure the actions for each step, such as specifying the survey questions and options.
Publish the Workflow: Once the workflow is complete, publish it to make it available to your team.

Advantages of Workflow Builders

Automation: Automate the entire survey process, saving time and effort.
Customization: Tailor the workflow to your specific needs.
Integration: Integrate with other apps and services.

Considerations when using Workflow Builders

Complexity: Building complex workflows can be time-consuming.
Learning Curve: Requires familiarity with the Workflow Builder interface.
Limited Features: The Workflow Builder may not offer all the features of a dedicated survey app.

FAQs: Decoding Survey Creation in Slack

Here are some of the most common questions I get about creating surveys in Slack, straight from the trenches.

1. Can I create anonymous surveys in Slack?

Absolutely! Some survey apps, like Simple Poll, offer anonymous polling options. When enabled, the results won’t reveal who voted for which option. However, native Slack polls do not have built-in anonymity. This feature is crucial when you need honest, unfiltered feedback.

2. How do I schedule a survey to be sent later?

Many survey apps and Slack’s Workflow Builder allow you to schedule surveys for future delivery. This is perfect for sending out surveys at the optimal time, such as after a meeting or at the end of the week.

3. What’s the best way to ensure a high response rate?

Keep it concise: Shorter surveys get more responses.
Offer an incentive: Consider a small reward for completing the survey.
Promote the survey: Announce it in multiple channels.
Remind participants: Send gentle reminders to those who haven’t completed the survey.
Communicate the purpose: Make sure everyone understands why you’re conducting the survey.

4. Can I export survey results to a spreadsheet?

Yes! Most survey apps provide the ability to export survey data in CSV or Excel format, which you can then import into your favourite spreadsheet program for further analysis.

5. How can I prevent duplicate responses?

This depends on the survey app. Some offer features like requiring users to log in or using cookies to prevent multiple submissions. With native Slack polls, duplicate responses are possible as users can change their reactions.

6. Is it possible to embed images or videos in a Slack survey?

It depends on the app! Some more advanced survey apps might allow this functionality. Always review features and limitations carefully before committing to a specific application.

7. How do I create a survey with different question types (e.g., multiple choice, rating scale, open-ended)?

Native Slack polls are limited to single-choice questions. To incorporate diverse question types, you need to use a dedicated survey app like Polly or SurveyMonkey.

8. Can I use Slack surveys for quizzes or knowledge checks?

Yes! With the right survey app, you can create quizzes with scoring and feedback mechanisms. This is a great way to test knowledge retention or assess training effectiveness.

9. How do I analyze the survey results effectively within Slack?

Most survey apps offer built-in reporting and visualization tools. Look for features like charts, graphs, and sentiment analysis to help you quickly identify key trends and insights.

10. What are the privacy considerations when conducting surveys in Slack?

Always be transparent about how the data will be used and who will have access to it. Comply with all relevant privacy regulations, such as GDPR or CCPA. Ensure that the survey app you choose has robust security measures in place.

11. How do I deal with biased or irrelevant responses?

This can be tricky. Carefully word your questions to avoid leading responses. Consider adding validation rules to prevent irrelevant answers. And be prepared to filter out or disregard responses that are clearly biased or off-topic.

12. What’s the difference between using a Slack poll and a full-fledged survey app?

Slack polls are quick and easy for simple, informal questions. They lack advanced features and analysis capabilities. Survey apps offer a wider range of question types, detailed analytics, and customization options, making them ideal for more in-depth surveys.

Choosing the right approach for your Slack survey depends entirely on your needs. Whether you’re using native polls, survey apps, or workflow builders, remember that gathering feedback from your team is a powerful tool for improving communication, decision-making, and overall team performance. Happy surveying!